What would she like best as her next kitchen appliance?

November 12, 2015 1:18 PM

I routinely give a large seasonal gift to my employee, a brilliant young woman who recently got married and also scored a wedding gift from me. She and her new husband love making things, from cocktails to meals. I bought her an excellent Zojirushi fuzzy logic rice cooker last year, and a Vitamix blender as the wedding gift. They use both all the time and seem thrilled. So, what next?

Obviously I am willing to spend a few hundred. But I don't want to overwhelm her with something too exotic or specialized. What do you suggest, hive mind? And what brand?

posted by bearwife to Shopping (49 answers total)

Gas grill? Kitchen aid mixer? Soda stream?

If it were me, I'd probably prefer a couple of good knives or some le Creuset enamelware.
posted by vunder at 1:22 PM on November 12, 2015 [5 favorites]

Knives! but of course make her give you a penny in return so that they don't cut your positive relationship in two. Yeah, seriously, the best thing in my kitchen are my fantastic knives.
posted by janey47 at 1:23 PM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Name names. What kinds of knives are the best thing in your kitchen?
posted by bearwife at 1:26 PM on November 12, 2015

Victorinox knives
A really nice programmable slow cooker
posted by deezil at 1:29 PM on November 12, 2015

Seconding the le Creuset enamelware. A good dutch is an amazing tool.
posted by Phineas Rhyne at 1:34 PM on November 12, 2015 [10 favorites]

I really love my Shun chef's knife.

One of my favorite things the last few years is my Emile Henry pizza stone--it's enameled, they come in beautiful colors. That plus Artisan Pizza And Flatbread In Five Minutes A Day and maybe some fancy pizza fixings would make a wonderful gift.
posted by padraigin at 1:34 PM on November 12, 2015 [2 favorites]

Waffle iron and a copy of MeFi's own veggieboy's Will It Waffle?
posted by Etrigan at 1:36 PM on November 12, 2015 [7 favorites]

A pressure cooker. I use mine to make risotto really quickly, to steam vegetables that take a long time to cook like beets and squash, to cook beans and to cook meat to a really tender state in time for weeknight dinner. The Kuhn Rikon ones are super nice.

A sous vide water circulator for cooking meat perfectly.

A stand mixer. I make pizza and waffles weekly in mine, plus other baking.

A Le Creuset Dutch oven is also a great idea.
posted by carolr at 1:36 PM on November 12, 2015 [4 favorites]

Best answer: Shun knives.

Mauviel or All-Clad cookware.

KitchenAid stand mixer. I would get a 6 or 7 quart. They just came out with a really nice copper one (but it might be out of the price range you're thinking of).

Le Creuset anything cookware. (And cheaper cast iron versions from Lodge that work just fine but are not enameled.) Even better if you already know their kitchen theme color, since they come in some really nice colors.

Cuisine Art food processor (though it's not that expensive).

Those are the things that we use or that I'm actively deciding whether to buy or not.

(For large appliances: Miele/Bosch dishwasher, Blue Star gas range.)
posted by ethidda at 1:40 PM on November 12, 2015

Do they have an outdoor area/porch/deck/backyard? If so, an electric smoker. One that has an external tube/access to refill the woodchips without opening the front door (for temperature control).
posted by zyxwvut at 1:41 PM on November 12, 2015

Nthing Le Creuset. I was kind of sniffy about them because I figured you were just paying for the name and my much cheaper Lodge was perfectly fine. (And it IS perfectly fine) But some friends pitched in and got me a Le Creuset pan and... it really is really, really, really good quality.
posted by Caravantea at 1:44 PM on November 12, 2015 [4 favorites]

The best knife in my kitchen for slicing vegetables is the Senzo Wood Santoku.
posted by nicwolff at 1:46 PM on November 12, 2015 [2 favorites]

My husband recently got a Zojirushi Water Boiler for his birthday, after coveting my mom's for years, and it has quickly become our favorite kitchen item ever.
posted by Diagonalize at 1:54 PM on November 12, 2015

I would love a kitchenaid mixer most of all. Knives a semi-distant second.
posted by bahama mama at 1:55 PM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

I LOVE my Nespresso machine. It makes the most delish espresso ever, Kuerig tastes of plastic and the coffee is weak. The original (small and basic) model is fine- the newer one has $$er capsules than anyone needs, so if you're being really generous, just add in another 50 bucks worth of espresso capsules and or get the set with added frother. Have given it, and it has been very well received. The capsules are vacuum packed aluminum, come in a million types, and stay fresh forever.
posted by TenaciousB at 2:07 PM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

A Breville immersion blender and an 8" Victorinox chef's knife.
posted by divined by radio at 2:09 PM on November 12, 2015

I think knives are something you have to buy for yourself, or at least do a lot of research and know the giftee very well, because all of the top brands are great, but people like different brands for various reasons. My mom loves her very expensive Henckels knives, but I despise them because they literally leave callouses on my fingers. My mom has large hands and mine are pretty small; I vastly prefer the feel of my Shun chef's knife.

Seconding the Kitchenaid mixer and a Le Creuset dutch oven. I've had both for about ten years and can't fathom not having either.

Does she like lattes and other fancy coffee drinks? I just got a Nespresso machine that I'm pretty excited about.
posted by gatorae at 2:16 PM on November 12, 2015 [4 favorites]

More votes for Victorinox. When I moved in with my partner 8 years ago, we got a set of Ikea knives for like $20 and a single Victorinox for about $60. The Ikea knives are long gone, but I just had the Victorinox sharpened for the first time this summer.

Le Creuset is also an excellent option. A $300 (or more) enamel dutch oven is a wonderful, useful gift that's out of financial reach for most people. We have the much less expensive version made by Lodge, but Le Creuset is a bit of a status symbol and the gesture wouldn't be lost on someone familiar with the kitchen. These things last generations, too, and become heirlooms.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 2:18 PM on November 12, 2015

le creuset (i LOVE mine, especially for making soups, stews, bolognese sauce, and chicken tikka masala), a kitchen aid mixer (i have the artisan, and it works just great), or a really nice ice cream maker. seriously.
posted by koroshiya at 2:18 PM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

Henkel Professional series knives. They are at least $100 each but impossible to go wrong with. 8" chef knife and pairing is a good start
posted by saradarlin at 2:49 PM on November 12, 2015

Knives are so personal though. Unless you know what they want and like, that's tough, almost like buying someone perfume.

How about some primo booze? Base spirits for special cocktails? A light rum, a dark rum, a gin and a vodka? Maybe a bourbon too?

Likewise, barware need not be expensive to be useful, but fancy barware can be kept in the open rather than hidden in a drawer. A fancy barspoon, a Yarai mixer glass, a cocktail shaker and a hawthorne-style strainer would be a grand gift. Perhaps an ice bucket and tongs too if you're feeling especially generous.
posted by bonehead at 3:04 PM on November 12, 2015

Response by poster: They are apartment dwellers. I think they have a pressure cooker.

So far it appears Victorinox (or Henkel or Senzo or Shun) knives lead the list of suggestions, followed closely by Kitchen Aid mixers -- my Bear adores his -- and le crueset (and I love mine.) I am also thinking about a fancy slow cooker -- which one? -- as few things are more of an aid to delicious easy food.

But keep 'em coming!
posted by bearwife at 3:05 PM on November 12, 2015

a fancy slow cooker

Not a slow cooker, a pressure cooker. If they have a fuzzy rice cooker they already know how to use this.

Alternatively, if they're more adventurous, how about an Anova in-pot sous vide temperature controller? Tiny, would work well in an apartment, but something they're unlikely to have (or buy themselves).
posted by bonehead at 3:09 PM on November 12, 2015 [2 favorites]

Are they coffee people? I got a rancilio espresso machine for my birthday (and bean grinder) and it changed my life when it came to my morning coffee. We used " whole latte love" to order everything - if you go this route definitely get the red bean espresso beans. Just stupid, stupid good. It's expensive, but worth it.

Espresso Machine

Edit to add - it's a lot like skiing. Easy to learn how to use, difficult to fully master to expert level.
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 3:15 PM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

Regarding knives as a gift, it's often regarded as unlucky. The explanation I heard of this is that you are symbolically 'cutting' the friendship. I just say this because it can be one of those things that people have in their personal mythology.

As the linked article says, you can mitigate this by attaching a penny (or other small denomination coin) to the gift, which is immediately given back to you as symbolic payment.

So anyway, now we're friends and you'll buy me a Kitchen Aid, right?
posted by prismatic7 at 3:18 PM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

Can I come work for you? ;)

Dutch oven, knives, excellent odd cheese, high end gadgets (pizza cutter, corn stripper, spiralizer peeler. Immersion blender. KitchenAid Food processor is my highest end machine but I couldn't cope without it.
posted by Riverine at 3:18 PM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

Juicy Salif, it's beautiful, small and not very expensive.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 3:19 PM on November 12, 2015

Yeah, the thing about a fancy slow cooker, for instance, is that it probably has almost no functional difference from a basic one. Good knives, a Kitchenaid, or a LeCreuset are a big upgrade in most people's kitchen functioning-in other words, they work better rather than just costing more.
posted by purenitrous at 3:25 PM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Two of my favorite kitchen items are
1) Atlas Pepper Mill, which is less than you're looking to spend, but you could pair it with the matching salt mill. It has other metal options, but I'm partial to copper. I love to look at it and love to use it.
2) Cuisinart Food Processor, specifically the 14-cup, 3 bowl, + blades + storage caddy option. It is supremely cool, and I love it.
posted by slipthought at 3:32 PM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

While I love my kitchenaid and my immersion blender, my absolute favorite-est kitchen thing of all is my Baking Steel. A complete game changer...I would not really be exaggerating to say it is life-changing. (Maybe a little. But not really!)

I make pizzas on it primarily, but it's also great for breads. And it's the best.

THE BEST.
posted by firei at 3:37 PM on November 12, 2015 [2 favorites]

-My wish list would include a nice espresso machine so I can make coffee shop drinks at home.

-I've always wanted a juicer, but it's something I'd never buy for myself.

-I'd probably never invest in a nice standing mixer, but if I had one, I think I would definitely bake more and tap into my inner Ina Garten.

-I bought myself a panini press and I use it constantly.
posted by AppleTurnover at 3:47 PM on November 12, 2015

Knifewise, I've been really impressed with the Henckels Professional "S" series. I covet this particular set (also available at Macy's, FWIW).

Henckels makes all kinds of different levels of quality and some of them are nothing special, but Pro S is the real thing!

But you also can't go wrong with Le Creuset (the 5-quart round Dutch oven is a great starter piece), and I also think that All-Clad pots and pans are great, but IDK maybe they already have some pot/pan brand or style in place and don't need more.

You seem like a real sweet boss, btw.
posted by toomuchkatherine at 3:54 PM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

Electric or stovetop griddle. It's a bit of an ungainly thing, but it gives a huge cooking surface anything that feels crowded when it's in a pan. Any fried breakfast foods, certainly, but also quickbreads cooked on a surface, like pancakes, English Muffins, and Crumpets. It can certainly do burgers, cook vegetables, grilled cheese, warm leftovers, etc. A griddle is not so much a pricy item, usually, but it can be...

The ne plus ultra these days seems to be the astonishing Baking Steel Griddle (they're now shipping pre-orders, but all the stock is going out as soon as it comes in for that reason, so you'd have to get in line) -- use it on the stovetop or in the oven; a few pounds of hot pizza stone can't compete with 25 pounds of roiling hot steel.
posted by Sunburnt at 4:01 PM on November 12, 2015

Best answer: In order of preference:
1. Kitchenaid Mixer
1. (tied for first) espresso machine
3. Cuisinart die cast food processor
4. Crock pot
posted by ramix at 4:04 PM on November 12, 2015

Response by poster: Oh boy, the baking steel griddle looks like a strong contender for next year. When I can get my hands on one for sure.

I do try to be a good gift giver because frankly my workplace sets my employee's salary far too low and she works incredibly hard.

I personally would love an expresso machine best but am still zeroed in on awesome appliances that help to make many dishes (slow cooker, mixer, knives, le crueset dutch oven, cuisinart, maybe panini press) for her. Very tempted too by the juicer, which looks like art, and the pepper mill.
posted by bearwife at 4:40 PM on November 12, 2015

Best answer: If they don't have one already, a good food processor can cut food prep time by 30 minutes or more. I have this Cusinart one and it's fantastic. (Caveat: if they don't have a dishwasher, it's a pain to clean all the parts by hand.)
posted by Owlcat at 4:47 PM on November 12, 2015

I would give a knife gift certificate, since they tend to be personal preference (and a serious cook probably has some good ones already). Handle shape, weighting, length, etc.

For what it's worth, the single best unexpected thing I have in my (small, single-user) kitchen is the Breville smart convection toaster oven. The thing is amazing, cooks everything well, and replaces the oven for just about everything I do these days.
posted by kcm at 4:57 PM on November 12, 2015

For enameled cast iron, Staub, is another option. If they are apartment dwellers is a Breville countertop convection toaster oven out?

Kitchen aid mixer, food processor or an Anova immersion heater. But if you are looking for a handy but thrifty tool then a serious mortar and pestle, like granite, kind of serious. Another item would he attempted control kettle for doing proper coffee pour over or properly brewing tea.
posted by jadepearl at 5:50 PM on November 12, 2015

InstantPot
posted by ainsley at 6:20 PM on November 12, 2015 [2 favorites]

Nthing the Kitchen Aid mixer - it is really a game changer and there are a large set of add ons (like for making sausage) that really fun.

AND this is the best thread ever! Fantastic suggestions!
posted by bluesky43 at 6:48 PM on November 12, 2015

I have a Juicy Salif. It's very beautiful but not at all practical for getting juice out of lemons and limes.

I wouldn't buy saucepans and frying pans, because the choice is too personal, and how the pans look is a large part of the decision. But an enameled cast-iron dutch oven, round or oval, is something that every cook uses and keeps for decades.

I love the idea of knives. A set isn't necessary. A 6- or -8 inch chef's knife is extremely useful. Paring knives are good for so many things. I have had my Wusthoff knives for 15 years and love them.

A Thermapen thermometer is a must. It seems overpriced, but it's become absolutely essential in my kitchen.
posted by wryly at 7:20 PM on November 12, 2015

If she's an apartment dweller, please stop with the appliances. Please. Please.

That said...

- Knives are too personal. No. Unless it is a gift certificate to a knife store to try out and pick her own - THEN, YES!!!

- Juicer too much like Vitamix. Nope.

- Coffee Maker? The right kind? YES YES YES YES.


My coffee maker contains a grinder. All you do is pour in beans, pour in water, touch button. Occasionally you dump out the used grinds. That's it. That's all.

I have the Spidem Trevi Digital Plus.I believe there is something called a Saeco that is similar? Anywho, I am a culinary grad, and I gotta tell you that besides my knives, this is the single thing in my kitchen that I use most. I have all the tools and toys. Every day. This gets used every single day, just about.

They are $400 to $700. Definitely in the "very thoughtful and generous gift" category.

No cups. No capsules. No reusable filters. USE ANY BEANS + FILTER WATER. Little to clean. Best type of coffee maker. EVER.
posted by jbenben at 7:44 PM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

I'm a big fan of Sweethome reviews (kitchen category) - maybe you can get some ideas there. Other specific thoughts:

Dry container for the Vitamix if she/they might be into making flour or grinding other dry items.

I've thought about getting the Instant Pot for years (it has great reviews and has been already mentioned above) but if they have limited space and already have a pressure cooker and a rice cooker then maybe not.

A friend recently got the Anova sous vide cooker and really likes it.
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 7:46 PM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

After you buy her the last kitchen appliance she won't be able to live without, start getting her experiential gifts - like a dinner for two at the best restaurant for foodies you can afford. She and her husband will be thrilled.
posted by jbenben at 7:51 PM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

Also this is totally a leftover traditional thing, but it would be weird to get knives if she or her partner are Chinese. Like it's a super-bad gift, and I would feel on one level "how nice, awesome expensive knives for my hobby!" and simultaneously "Oh no, they hate me and wish me great harm" somehow (I am not Chinese, but have Chinese relatives and grew up in a majority Chinese community). It's a weird superstition very specific to giving knives as a gift that I've run up against wanting to give knives to a hobby cook. I settled for knife-skill classes instead as a compromise.

Thermomix.

The new one is insanely pretty and smaller, and it's not a blender, and I would still if I had the space also want a blender. But the thermomix is crazy good. Professional chefs use them for sauces and custards and risottos and things and it becomes just this workhorse beast in your kitchen, and it's also so easy. People are insane about their thermomixes for good reason.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 8:34 PM on November 12, 2015 [5 favorites]

Yes, no knives. Some people (not just people of Chinese descent) consider them to be a bad-luck gift.

My vote is (a second) for the Instant Pot. A good friend and food writer adores hers.

A Kitchen Aid is also nice. If you do go for one though, get one in the Professional 600 series.
posted by yellowcandy at 9:00 PM on November 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

An enameled dutch oven (even a $30 Lodge from Target) to use all winter, plus an ice cream maker to use all summer.

(And duh, I know, they will both get used all year long. That's The Joke.)
posted by wenestvedt at 8:27 AM on November 13, 2015

Response by poster: I want to thank all of you so much. I also have some things on my personal want list now that I didn't know about before. For my employee, who loves machines that do a lot and make complex meals feasible, I am going for the Cuisinart food processor and the salt and pepper mill (with some artisan salt and pepper corns) for this year.

Thank you!!!
posted by bearwife at 9:17 AM on November 13, 2015

I don't have one (yet! waiting to finish my kitchen remodel..) but everyone I know who has a Breville BOV800XL Convection Toaster Oven swears it's the best thing ever. But it might require a bit too much counter space..
posted by Nerd of the North at 11:16 PM on November 13, 2015